Trump Bans Press that Reports Facts He Doesn’t Like

Fake news. Trump and company have been using this tired excuse since before his election. Whenever an organization has published critical information about the administration or reported on the connections between Russia and the Trump inner circle, the shouts of “fake news” come back. Yes, there are fake news stories but they are easy to distinguish from credible news sources. Today, Trump banned some of the most respected news sources from a press conference or “gaggle” as it is known. Banned orgs included, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and CNN. Basically, if you had reported on Russia and Trump in a way he perceived as negative or published White House leaks then you weren’t allowed and he and his men have labeled you as “fake.”

This is sort of banning of the press has never happened before in our country and it’s a direct assault on democracy. But when I think more about it, I realize that it’s not only horribly un-American, it’s also a bad strategy.

I don’t think pissing off the best investigative journalists in the business is the best idea if you want to bury the truth. Seems to me that calling highly respected and talented journalists fakes and liars is just going to encourage them to find the truth. Imagine being the journalist who breaks the story that brings old 45 down. You’d forever be a hero in the pages of history.

In related news I’m very proud of myself for subscribing to the LA Times this week. If they are banned, they must be on to something.

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Amy Davis Roth (aka Surly Amy) is a multimedia artist who resides in Los Angeles, California. She makes Surly-Ramics. She is the fearless leader of Mad Art Lab. Support her on Patreon. Follow her on twitter: @SurlyAmy or on Google+. Tip Jar is here.